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Chennai Metro Rail has saved ₹5.6 crore on annual electricity charges, as nearly 22% of its non-train electricity needs are covered by solar power across the 54 km Phase-I and Phase-I extension network.

Chennai Metro Rail has installed 10.77 Mega watt peak (MWp) of solar power in the 54 km network in 36 locations be it car parking spaces, stabling sheds and train sheds in Koyambedu, and the rooftops of stations including Ashok Nagar, Alandur, Thirumangalam, Anna Nagar, Shenoy Nagar, Nehru Park, Egmore, Meenambakkam, Vadapalani, Arumbakkam, Tiruvottiyur, Wimco Nagar depot, Ekkatuthangal, Toll Gate, Mannadi and Kaladipet.

According to officials of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), a total of 4 lakh kilowatt hours (kWh) is the energy requirement per day for the 54 km network. Of this, CMRL has been able to generate 51,000 kWh through the installed solar power plants daily. 

“We have two types of energy consumption—traction and non-traction power. While traction power is utilised by trains, various systems in stations and our office buildings utilise non-traction power. Solar power generated is predominantly used for running air-conditioning, elevators, escalators, other auxiliary systems, depot facilities and lighting in stations and office buildings. It is not possible to consume solar power for operating trains (that uses traction power) as they require a high volume of power for acceleration, and we have to operate nearly 40-45 trains. But we have regenerative braking in trains that help recover 34% of the energy during braking,” an official said.

There is an average savings of ₹3 per unit, and hence, solar power installations provide an estimated annual savings of nearly ₹5.6 crore a year, another official said. There are plans to install another 2 MWp for the Phase-I network and another 10 MWp solar power plant in Corridor 4 of the Phase-II network.

“There exists a lot of potential to install more panels. We have plenty of space available in the existing stations of the Phase-I network and the project should be expanded soon, so that it helps in cutting down expenditure,” he added.